Abstract
The following discussion presents a review of the book, "Hope-focused Marriage Counseling: A Guide to Brief Therapy." The current review begins with a brief summary of the book, followed by concrete responses in relation to a personal life episode relevant to the book. Additionally, the discussion presents reflective questions in response to the reading. The paper concludes with commentary regarding how the information in the book will influence the author's personal growth process.

From the Paper
"The following discussion presents a review of the book, Hope-focused Marriage Counseling: A Guide to Brief Therapy. The current review begins with a brief prAfA(c)cis of the reading. This is followed by concrete responses in relation to a personal life episode relevant to the book. In addition, the current discussion presents reflective questions in response to the reading. The paper concludes with commentary regarding how the information in the book will influence how I am going to continue my personal growth process...."

Tags:marriage counseling, christian counseling, counselin

Abstract
This paper presents an analysis of Christian marriage counseling or pastoral counseling that aims to promote awareness and attitude and behavior change through the use of Christian doctrine and biblical authority.

From the Paper
"Marriage is viewed by Christians as a Sacred vow, one in which before God couples commit their lives to each other for better or worse .In "Marriage Counseling: A Christian Approach to Counseling Couples", EverettL Worthington Jr, a Christian pastoral counselor, maintains that quite often the conditions in the marriage relationship are worse than better. The statistics on divorce in the United States provide ample evidence of Worthington's claim. Since the fifty percent or one out of every two marriages in..."

Tags:God, Christ, love, commitment, conflict, spouses, devotion, Bible, cognitive, person-centered, unconditional, retirement, unemployment, child rearing, wife, husband, enabling, addiction

Abstract
The paper selects three of the nine topics covered in chapter 4 of Worthington's "Hope Focused Marriage Counseling". The paper examines 'Values and Personal Beliefs,' 'Vision of Marriage' and 'Communication' as they seemed to be at the base of providing the type of faith and hope that the author describes. Each of these topics are described and reasons are provided.

From the Paper
"In chapter four of Everett L. Worthington's book "Hope Focused Marriage Counseling", the author identifies nine interconnected areas, which like the systems of the human body, are essential for dealing with the causes of marital difficulties. As is the general philosophy of the book, rather than have the counselor "zeroing in on individual issues, the counselor needs to "intervene to promote love, faith and work." (p. 59-60). The most important of three of these nine areas would be (1) Central beliefs and values, (2) Core vision and (3) communication. Central Beliefs and Values are defined as the "aspects of living that...""

Tags:counselling, communication, faith

From the Paper
"Marriage is a complex interpersonal relationship. Thus its breakdown generally arises from a variety of causes. With the divorce rate approaching crisis proportions, an urgent need exists for counselors skilled in marital stabilization.

One of the most prevalent underlying factors in the breakdown of marriage is lack of communication. When communication ceases, marital growth deteriorates: "In many cases, one partner is so alienated by the spouse that empathy, sympathy, and even listening cease" (Friesen & Friesen, 1989, p. 9).

Prather (1995) attributes outside influences internalized by unwary couples as a major factor in the breakdown of marital relationships. Popular philosophies embrace a mindset known as "separation psychology." We live in a disposable society..."

Tags:FAMILY, MARRIAGE

Abstract
Due to the astounding body of evidence suggesting that marriage failure generally results from a breakdown of communication and from unrealistic marriage expectations and/or on spousal perceptual biases, it seems that marriage counseling and premarital counseling could in fact be highly useful tools for assuring the survival of a marriage. By performing a literature review on several sources on the subject of divorce statistics and the history of marital counseling, the paper suggests that couples who received marriage counseling during marriage or pre-marital counseling before marriage report a lower rate of divorce than those who never had the benefit of counseling. The paper then describes the methodology and findings of a research project performed to prove this hypothesis.

From the Paper
"If divorce is usually caused by some force for which counseling cannot really provide an answer, such as social or economic pressure, then there is less support for a hypothesis regarding the power of marital and premarital counseling to prevent divorce. However, if divorce is based on preventable or treatable flaws within the relationship, than the hypothesis may stand. Secondly, one must address the issue as to whether or not couples inside a therapeutical setting show any signs of being better adjusted than couples outside a therapeutical setting, and if past evidence has shown premarital counseling to be effective. If it has not, then the hypothesis as currently stated may still be correct, but it will have to be far more conclusive to prove its point. Finally, one must address the issue of whether or not counseling may in some cases be seen as evidence of impending marriage dissolution rather than marital health, and as such be seen as a negative relational sign. (For example, it is possible that most people approach counseling as a last-ditch effort to save their relationship, or that most of the people enrolled in premarital counseling are in very high risk groups and already undergoing problems. If so, it is further possible that the situation is not so much one of the efficacy or inefficacy of counseling programs themselves, but rather concerns itself with the way in which counseling programs segregate failed from non-failed relationships)."

Tags:dissolution, therapy, relationship

Abstract
This paper explains that, while the divorce rate is constantly rising in America, it has been proven that when a couple goes through a strong pre-marriage counseling program, the likelihood of their marriage staying intact is increased by 50 percent. The author points out that premarital counseling helps couples identify, express, discuss and reasonably modify their expectations for marriage; when conflicting expectations are uncovered, they have a better chance of being resolved. The paper stresses that, when each person in a marriage endeavors to meet the needs of his or her mate and give unconditionally, marital success is often the result.

From the Paper
"Many people in society like to criticize the traditional family with sometimes more emotion than is logical. Some alternatives to traditional marriage-such as when a couple decides not to have children or when they decide to live in a commune-can be consistent with biblical teaching. However, trial marriage, open marriage, mate swapping, or gay marriages are unbiblical. The couple needs to think through these marriage options and decide what type of marriage they want before they're married."

Tags:sex, unbiblical, traditional, unconditional, church

Abstract
This paper presents a review of the many philosophies on marital counseling. The paper refers to discussions, theories, publications religious views, and various types of psychology and therapies regarding marriage counseling, as well as the essential factors that need to be considered regarding this topic.

Outline:
Addressing Conflicts in Marital Counseling
To Change or Not to Change?
Not So Easy to Change Issues
Better or Worse?
Divergent and Competing Theories
Psychodynamic Theory
A Hope-Focused Approach
More than Change
Solution-Focused Therapy via the TelephoneMarital Counseling Considerations

From the Paper
"Theresa Tisdale, who identifies herself as a Christian psychologist, teaches integration and clinical courses in the doctoral and masters programs at Azusa Pacific University. Transformation and what she terms "essential relatedness," relate to her clinical practice. The term, "essential relatedness," Tisdale explains, reflects that humans as created in God's image. A vital element of that image consists of the intimate connection between Father, Son, and Spirit. "In a similar way, humans are created to relate intimately with self (dimensions of body, soul, and spirit), others, God, and creation. "

Tags:clinical, issues, personal, marital, characteristics, support, partners

Abstract
This paper evaluates the present state of multicultural awareness in the marriage and family counseling profession, with a review of historical approaches, level and methods of multicultural training, application of these methods in the practice field and the future of the education of marriage and family counselors whom are more culturally aware. The paper discusses how the traditional model of a marriage and family counselor has transitioned from primarily a white male heterosexual dominated field, to white female heterosexual dominated field, to a much more diverse and multicultural profession. The paper asserts that the ability of counselors to empathize with patients requires a multicultural awareness that needs to be incorporated into the curriculums of institutes of higher learning.

Tags:multicultural, marriage and family, counselling

Abstract
This paper examines the multicultural counseling approaches used in the application of the family systems theory. Family Systems theory is defined, and three counseling approaches that utilize the theory in a multicultural context are reviewed. They include family therapy, family literacy and cross cultural marriage workshops.

From the Paper
"Family systems theory asserts that people can change behaviors if they are aware of the impact current and historical family behavior has on the definition of his or her choices. In the context of the family systems theory the word "Family" may be composed of the immediate family that the person presides with, the extended family of relatives and friends, and the community in general. (Bowens Family Systems Theory 2002, 1)
The family systems theory was pioneered by Dr. Murray Bowen, and has many characteristics. First and foremost the theory is a way of understanding present situations in terms of past relationships. The theory seeks to understand the entire family as an emotional unit composed of linked relationships that have existed over different generations. Family system theory claims that an individuals' behavior is directly correlated to how that individuals' family functions. (Bowens Family Systems Theory, 3)"

Tags:therapy, literacy, cross-cultural, marriage, workshop, relatives, community

Abstract
This paper scrutinizes marriage as a institution that focuses on male domination and female subordination. It explores how premarital counseling can help prevent these kinds of issues. It also includes the author's personal viewpoint regarding the importance of premarital counseling.

From the Paper
"Two years prior, Goldstein, Davis-Kean, and Eccles (2005) were able to conclude from a longitudinal study that an adolescent's assessment of relationships in his or her family predicts future encounters with peers as well as problem behaviors. In this study, Goldstein et al. (2005) utilized data from the MADICS, using all "waves" of data. Overall, adolescents who were engaged in problematic behavior in the 7th grade, would continue to do so through to the 11th grade (Goldstein et al., 2005). Thus, it seems as though exposure at an impressionable age results in continued incidents of behavioral issues. Goldstein et al. (2005) concluded the study by noting, "[w]hen parents permit too much freedom, they may put their young adolescents at risk for a negative peer context, but they can also put their young adolescents at risk if they are perceived as being too intrusive" ( 38)."

Tags:feminism, marriage, domination